Owner Tony Yanow, an Ojai resident and part of the Artisanal Breweries Collective, wanted to open a restaurant in his new hometown and found the perfect venue in the east end of town. The interior’s brick wall and long, dark wooden bar are reminiscent of favorite watering holes in Manhattan such as P. J. Clarke’s and Joe Allen, and a certain bar in Boston where everybody knows your name.

So what’s the culinary twist on chili fries? A delicious vegan concoction of fries covered in chipotle aioli, fresh cilantro and green onion. Check out the Buffalo cauliflower, an appetizer invented by the pub, to be dipped in a vegan blue cheese dressing. No pub, gastro or otherwise, is true to pub tradition without burgers. There’s the Classic Burger with the house’s secret sauce, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion, BUT there’s also the classic “impossible patty” (translation: vegan patty) topped with vegan cheese, both served on a brioche bun.

Happy hour is from 4:00-6:00 which features discounts on craft beers and well-cocktails, as well as such signature drinks as the Ojai Sour (Rittenhouse rye, grenache, citrus) or the Accidental Guru (Jameson, Allagash white, ginger, peach & lime). Have some spicy fried chickpeas or heirloom bean hummus from the bar menu, also at happy hour prices

The rice is wild, the chicken is free range, the produce is organic and local, the beer and wine sustainable. Whether you have traditional pub fare or the vegetarian/vegan options, the food is delicious comfort food with a twist. What’s not to love?

So, as you meander from one Taste of Ojai booth to another, check out Ojai Pub and join the Ojai Pub Grub Club!!!